Brendan Quinn
@bfquinn.bsky.social
I write stuff for The Athletic
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/brendan-quinn/
Detroit, via Philadelphia
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/brendan-quinn/
Detroit, via Philadelphia
Pinned
Matt Berninger traded his notebook for a baseball. And the words kept coming
For The National’s frontman, the way forward was written on rawhide.
www.nytimes.com
A new story I'm pretty pumped to share. It's about words, and our pastime, and changing your traumas by changing your patterns.
On Matt Berninger, and the baseballs of writing:
On Matt Berninger, and the baseballs of writing:
It’s time, Jason Kelce.
NEWS: The Detroit Lions announced that former All-Pro center Frank Ragnow is coming out of retirement to join the team.
November 26, 2025 at 9:44 PM
It’s time, Jason Kelce.
Victory.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
November 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Victory.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Reposted by Brendan Quinn
From @theathletic.com: You probably know a lot about Mick Jagger; the Rolling Stones singer is a cultural icon. What you might not know about Jagger is that he was a pioneer of streaming sports over the internet. Specifically, cricket.
Mick Jagger. Rolling Stone. Cultural icon. And cricket streaming pioneer
The Rolling Stones' lead singer, a huge cricket fan, spotted the huge potential of the internet while others still treated it with suspicion
nyti.ms
November 26, 2025 at 5:04 PM
From @theathletic.com: You probably know a lot about Mick Jagger; the Rolling Stones singer is a cultural icon. What you might not know about Jagger is that he was a pioneer of streaming sports over the internet. Specifically, cricket.
Reposted by Brendan Quinn
Enjoyed this as someone that grew up in Escanaba, down the street from dueling Packers/Lions houses. As in, two neighbors painted their *entire houses* in their respective team colors, complete with mounted plywood logos.
November 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Enjoyed this as someone that grew up in Escanaba, down the street from dueling Packers/Lions houses. As in, two neighbors painted their *entire houses* in their respective team colors, complete with mounted plywood logos.
Wrote about football. And people. And the wonderfully weird world of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Happy Thanksgiving.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Happy Thanksgiving.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
A journey to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where the Lions and Packers draw the lines
On a swath of land in Michigan, Lions and Packers fans live side-by-side. They're called the Yoopers.
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Wrote about football. And people. And the wonderfully weird world of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Happy Thanksgiving.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Happy Thanksgiving.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
i don't know anything about how Pulitzers work, but send them all to Brian Phillips
People are calling my lede here "appalling," "nightmare fuel," "actively evil," and "a desecration of the human spirit"
The Olivia Nuzzi and RFK Jr. Affair Is Messier Than We Ever Could Have Imagined
Inside the most important, and also least important, story of our time
www.theringer.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:38 PM
i don't know anything about how Pulitzers work, but send them all to Brian Phillips
Having the thought, "It's annoying when they're bad, so it's arguably more annoying when they're this good," right as the camera cuts to a mean-mugging Nick Sirianni.
<eye twitches, teeth grind>
<eye twitches, teeth grind>
November 23, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Having the thought, "It's annoying when they're bad, so it's arguably more annoying when they're this good," right as the camera cuts to a mean-mugging Nick Sirianni.
<eye twitches, teeth grind>
<eye twitches, teeth grind>
AJ Brown. Touchdown. In Kelly Green. At Dallas.
a man is laying on the floor with a man standing next to him and a caption that says `` it was glorious '' .
ALT: a man is laying on the floor with a man standing next to him and a caption that says `` it was glorious '' .
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
AJ Brown. Touchdown. In Kelly Green. At Dallas.
sorry, did the Giants just send Russell Wilson out for the OT coin toss? are they trolling him, themselves, or all of us?
November 23, 2025 at 9:15 PM
sorry, did the Giants just send Russell Wilson out for the OT coin toss? are they trolling him, themselves, or all of us?
love that this can apply to just about anything he does
for god's sake, Jameis
November 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM
love that this can apply to just about anything he does
for god's sake, Jameis
November 23, 2025 at 8:38 PM
for god's sake, Jameis
Good story here from Michael-Shawn Dugar.
(and let's g'head and toss it into the pile of evidence for "jon gruden is exactly who you think he is")
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
(and let's g'head and toss it into the pile of evidence for "jon gruden is exactly who you think he is")
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Marquette King was one of the NFL’s best punters, then he was gone: ‘I’m definitely blackballed’
King carved out a distinct persona at a position known for anonymity. It may explain why his NFL career was shorter than it could have been.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Good story here from Michael-Shawn Dugar.
(and let's g'head and toss it into the pile of evidence for "jon gruden is exactly who you think he is")
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
(and let's g'head and toss it into the pile of evidence for "jon gruden is exactly who you think he is")
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
this one rules. all hail the long snapper.
"I tell people, my life's not real."
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
The NFL’s most anonymous men are also the happiest: ‘My life’s not real’
'People think it’s impossible to get in (as a long snapper). It’s damn near impossible to stay in.'
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
this one rules. all hail the long snapper.
Reposted by Brendan Quinn
🧵 Writing contest winners: Columns
1st @jledwardsiii.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/636...
2nd @gxjones.bsky.social, www.libertyballers.com/2025/6/12/24...
3rd @michaelgrangenba.bsky.social, www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/...
1st @jledwardsiii.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/636...
2nd @gxjones.bsky.social, www.libertyballers.com/2025/6/12/24...
3rd @michaelgrangenba.bsky.social, www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/...
The New York Knicks, after 25 long, humbling and frustrating seasons, are back
New York basketball is back, relevant and thriving, and this just might be the beginning of what's to come.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:47 PM
🧵 Writing contest winners: Columns
1st @jledwardsiii.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/636...
2nd @gxjones.bsky.social, www.libertyballers.com/2025/6/12/24...
3rd @michaelgrangenba.bsky.social, www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/...
1st @jledwardsiii.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/636...
2nd @gxjones.bsky.social, www.libertyballers.com/2025/6/12/24...
3rd @michaelgrangenba.bsky.social, www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/...
Reposted by Brendan Quinn
🧵 Writing contest winners: Game Coverage
1st, @thompsonscribe.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
2nd @loganmmurdock.bsky.social, www.theringer.com/2025/06/17/n...
3rd @jonkrawczynski.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...
1st, @thompsonscribe.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
2nd @loganmmurdock.bsky.social, www.theringer.com/2025/06/17/n...
3rd @jonkrawczynski.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...
The moment is not too big for Jalen Williams, who has taken over these NBA Finals
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:50 PM
🧵 Writing contest winners: Game Coverage
1st, @thompsonscribe.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
2nd @loganmmurdock.bsky.social, www.theringer.com/2025/06/17/n...
3rd @jonkrawczynski.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...
1st, @thompsonscribe.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
2nd @loganmmurdock.bsky.social, www.theringer.com/2025/06/17/n...
3rd @jonkrawczynski.bsky.social, www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...
Yes it would’ve been interesting to see the Lions offense get dump-trucked again
Would have made for a more interesting finale without that absurd call at least.
November 17, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Yes it would’ve been interesting to see the Lions offense get dump-trucked again
Collinsworth saying that pass interference will “decide the game” is one of the dumbest moments in a night of very dumb moments
November 17, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Collinsworth saying that pass interference will “decide the game” is one of the dumbest moments in a night of very dumb moments
Reposted by Brendan Quinn
Something very existential about Tyler Steen being punished for doing the right thing there.
November 17, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Something very existential about Tyler Steen being punished for doing the right thing there.
I listen to about 18 hours of Eagles podcasting a week and have no idea who Kylen Granson is.
November 17, 2025 at 3:19 AM
I listen to about 18 hours of Eagles podcasting a week and have no idea who Kylen Granson is.
Reposted by Brendan Quinn
Kai Trump will be a college golfer.
But she's not ready for the LPGA tour.
Don't blame her. Blame those who are desperate enough for attention that they thought it was a good idea to invite the No. 461 junior golfer.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
But she's not ready for the LPGA tour.
Don't blame her. Blame those who are desperate enough for attention that they thought it was a good idea to invite the No. 461 junior golfer.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Kai Trump is not the solution to the LPGA’s problem
The No. 461 junior golfer in America was given a coveted sponsor exemption because of her last name and massive social media following.
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Kai Trump will be a college golfer.
But she's not ready for the LPGA tour.
Don't blame her. Blame those who are desperate enough for attention that they thought it was a good idea to invite the No. 461 junior golfer.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
But she's not ready for the LPGA tour.
Don't blame her. Blame those who are desperate enough for attention that they thought it was a good idea to invite the No. 461 junior golfer.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Had the good fortune last night of listening to two great writers (@sethwickersham.bsky.social & @michael-rosenberg.bsky.social) at a great bookstore (Ann Arbor’s Literati) discussing a great book (American Kings).
Wickersham is about as good as it gets in this game. Buy the book (at a bookstore).
Wickersham is about as good as it gets in this game. Buy the book (at a bookstore).
November 13, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Had the good fortune last night of listening to two great writers (@sethwickersham.bsky.social & @michael-rosenberg.bsky.social) at a great bookstore (Ann Arbor’s Literati) discussing a great book (American Kings).
Wickersham is about as good as it gets in this game. Buy the book (at a bookstore).
Wickersham is about as good as it gets in this game. Buy the book (at a bookstore).
That might be the funniest false start ever. Eat it, LaFleur.
November 11, 2025 at 1:49 AM
That might be the funniest false start ever. Eat it, LaFleur.
this is a perfect Take — one hundred percent petty, and one hundred percent correct
It's Actually Annoying that Fox Sports is still using Roundball Rock for its college basketball coverage when NBC has the NBA back on its air and is naturally using the song again.
November 9, 2025 at 3:06 AM
this is a perfect Take — one hundred percent petty, and one hundred percent correct
if any sportswriter in Happy Valley is curious, the bible verse on Omar Cooper's wrist band is Jeremiah 29:11 ... “For I know the plans I have for you plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
November 8, 2025 at 8:33 PM
if any sportswriter in Happy Valley is curious, the bible verse on Omar Cooper's wrist band is Jeremiah 29:11 ... “For I know the plans I have for you plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"